Short Description
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate sweet and salty treat. Soft, chewy, and loaded with gooey caramel and melty chocolate chips, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors
- Soft and chewy texture with crisp edges
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Great for gifting, parties, or just a cozy treat
- Caramel melts into delicious gooey pockets
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Chocolate chips
- Soft caramels, chopped
- Flaky sea salt (for topping)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Make the Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Add Chocolate and Caramel: Fold in chocolate chips and chopped soft caramels.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while cookies are warm.
- Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 18-24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- Extra Chewy: Add an extra egg yolk for a richer texture.
- Nutty Twist: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.
- Dark Chocolate Version: Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate.
- Espresso Kick: Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to enhance the flavors.
- Stuffed Caramel: Instead of mixing chopped caramel, stuff a whole caramel piece inside each cookie dough ball before baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: Keeps fresh for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a gooey center.
FAQs
Can I use caramel sauce instead of soft caramels?
No, caramel sauce will make the dough too runny. Use soft caramel candies instead.
How do I prevent caramel from leaking out?
Chop caramels into small pieces and fold them well into the dough to prevent melting out.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe slightly.
Do I have to chill the dough?
Chilling is optional but recommended for thicker cookies.
What’s the best way to achieve a chewy texture?
Use a mix of brown and granulated sugar and avoid overbaking.
Can I use a cookie scoop?
Yes, a cookie scoop helps keep cookies uniform in size.
Can I substitute caramel chips for soft caramel?
Yes, caramel chips work, but they won’t create gooey caramel pockets.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Over-softened butter or too little flour can cause spreading. Chill the dough if needed.
How can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours before baking.
Conclusion
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies bring together the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and gooey goodness. Whether for a gathering or a simple treat at home, these cookies are sure to impress. Try them today and enjoy every bite!
PrintSalted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and salty! They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with gooey caramel bits and rich chocolate chips. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top takes them to the next level. Perfect for cookie lovers who crave a little extra indulgence!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch (for extra softness)
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- 1/2 cup soft caramel candies, chopped (or caramel bits)
- Flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cornstarch.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the Good Stuff:
- Gently fold in chocolate chips and caramel pieces.
- Scoop & Bake:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still soft.
- Add the Finishing Touch:
- Immediately sprinkle each cookie with flaky sea salt while they’re warm.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For Extra Gooey Caramel: Press a few extra caramel pieces into the tops of the cookies before baking.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4–5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; bake straight from the freezer, adding 2 extra minutes to the baking time.
- No Caramel Bits? Use soft caramel candies, cut into small pieces, or a drizzle of melted caramel after baking.
- Recipe Details
Nutrition
- Calories: ~160
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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